Player grand piano



Aug. 17 1926- I T. P. BROWN PLAYER GRAND PIANO Filed Nov. 30, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

F Eran 0 M A TTOR NE Y.

By 7620 z/ore Aug, 17, 1926.

Filed Nov. 30, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w m m M 7H m m U 5 A 1 4 u w m M 6 .nflerhhrqml 6mm MM Mw w 1 mw .1 w m w 9 Z. H mw INVENTOR. Tfievdore P Brawl ATTORNEY.

Aug. 17 1926. 1,596,576

T P. BROWN PLAYER, GRAND PIANO Filed Nov. 30, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

4 TTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

VUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'rnnonona r. BaowN, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY 'MEsNE A8- srenmm'rs, '10 smraax PLAYER ACTION 00., or woacasrna'massacncsarrs.

PLAYER GRAND PIANO.

Application Med November 30, 1923. Serial No. 677,801.

My invention relates to player pianos and has particular reference to player grand pianos, of the type in which the music sheet roll operating devices, tracker bar, and manual control devices are located in a drawer arranged'to slide beneath the bottom of the piano, while the pneumatic player action and its associatedmechanism is rigidly secured to the bottom of the piano.

\Vhen the drawer containing the music sheet roll and tracker bar is mounted to move with respect to the stationary pneumatic mechanism, it is necessary to provide flexible tubes between the tracker bar and the pneumatic action so as to permit of the relative movement between these parts, and difliculties have been heretofore encountered in player grand pianos of this type, due to the straining and bucklin of the tubes when the drawer is moved. t also frequently happens that the drawer containing the tracker bar and tubes is moved from its closed, to a partially open position, by reason of the resistance offered to closing move ment' by the tubes themselves.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for supporting the tubes extending between the movable tracker bar and the stationary pneumatic mechanism, whereby, when the drawer is moved, there will be no tendency for the tubes to chafe, buckle or strain, as they are flexed by the movement of the drawer. My improved arrangement permits the parts car ried by the drawer to be carried in an extremely compact manner so that the dimensions of the drawer may be reduced to a minimum, while providing ample space for the flexing of the tubes as the drawer is moved. My invention further contemplates means for opposing accidental movement of the drawer by the flexed tubes, and also an improved arrangementwhereby the pneumatic mechanism is rendered readily accessible for inspection and removal, when necessary. The above and other advantageous features of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. -1 is a view in front elevation of a player grand piano embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the drawer carried by the piano shown in Fig. 1, showing its relation to the main pneumatic action.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view along detail, my improved arrangement for supporting the tracker bar tubes.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 66 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the grand piano illustrated therein comprises a key bed 1 which supports a key frame 2, the latter carrying the usual keys 3 and piano action 4 arranged in a conventional manner. A drawer 5 is slidably supported from the under side of the key bed 1 b rollers 6, upon which ride laterally exten ing' slides or flanges 7 provided along the sides of the drawer 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The drawer 5 carries the spool box 8,

within which is mounted the tracker bar 9 with roll shafts 10 and take-up spool 11 arranged in the usual manner. The drawer piano, such control devices 15 being usual in pianos of this type, and requiring no further description herein.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the key bed 1 is provided with an opening 16 extending beneath the rear ends of the keys 3, and in this opening is placed a guide 17 having numer ous alined pairs of perforations for slidably receiving striker wires 18 extending downwardlybelow the rear end of each key The lower end of each wire 18 rests on a striker lever 19 and the levers 19 are adapted to be operated by a plurality of pneumatic units 20 through wires 21. The pneumatic units 29 are of a well known type, each consisting of a primary valve adapted to be operated by atmospheric pressure, to cause the corresponding power pneumatic 20 to collapse and move its connected striker wire 21 upwardly to strike a note.

The pneumatic units 20 and their associated mechanism will be hereinafter referred to as the pneumatic action, which comprises in addition, a channel board 22. by which the units- 29 are supported. and a wind chest 23. The entire pneumatic action, including the units 20, the channel board 22 andthe wind chest 23, is supported from the under side of the key bed 1 by means of hangers 21. As best shown in Fig. 6, the hangers '24 are secured to the key bed 1 by means of bolts 25 extending therethrough, the end of the bolts extending beyond the hangers 2 1 for the reception of wing nuts 26, whereby the hangers 21 and the entire pneumatic action are held in position. By removing wing nuts 26, the entire pneumatic action can be removed from the piano.

The wind chest 23 is connected through one or more tubes 27 to an expression box 28, from which leads a tube 29 connected to the suction creating device of the piano, not shown. The suction creating device may be of any desired type, and is adapted to create a vacuum in the wind chest 23 for controlling the operation of the pneumatic units 20. As previously pointed out, the primary valves of the pneumatic units 20 are adapted to cause the operation of the power pneumatics when subjected to atmospheric pressure, and for this purpose a plurality of tubes 30 extend from the tracker bar 9 to the pneumatic action. The ends of the tubes 30 remote from the tracker bar 9 are received in a tube strip 31 which is removably secured to the channel board 22 by wood screws 32. As is usual in player pianos, the tubes 30 are adapted to admit air at atmospheric pressure to the pneumatic units 20 when any one of the ends of the tubes at the tracker bar 9 registers with an opening provided in the music sheet 33. This admission of air primarily controls the playing of notes by the instrument, so it is of the utmost importance that the tubes 30 always provide a clear unrestricted channel between the tracker bar and the pneumatic action. As pr viously pointed out, the drawer 5 is movable into the position shown in Fig. 1 to expose the spool. box 8 and the control devices 15, and itis one of the princip'al objects of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for preventing the tubes 30 from buckling, or being subjected to heavy strains, when the drawer 5 is moved from a closed position to its open position, or vice versa.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the tubes 30 leading from the strip 31 are passed through and are rigidly held in position by a strip 3+1- securcd to a bottom board 35 extending below the pneumatic action. The board 35 is provided with an opening 36 which gives access to the screws 32 securing the strip 31 to the channel board As best shown in Fig. 5, the tubes 30 pass upwardly from the stationary strip 3st to the strip 37 which is pivotally supported at its ends between pairs of arms 38, 38 and 39, 39, respectively. The lower ends of the arms 39 are pivotally secured to blocks 11 carried by the bottom board 35, while the ends of the arms 38 are pivotally secured to blocks 10 carried by the bottom portion 12 of the drawer 5 near the edge thereof. The tubes 39 extend downwardly from the strip 37 and pass through a strip 4-3, also secured to the bottom portion 12 at a fixed distance from the blocks 40. The tubes 30 extend from the strip 43 parallel to the bottom 42, and then upwardly to the tracker bar 9.

As previously pointed out with reference to Fig. 2, a tube 13 extends across the drawer 5 for supplying the wind motor 12, and this tube 13 is supported below the strip 37 by a wire 14 extending downwardly from the strip 37 and provided with an eye portion for receiving the tube 13. The wire 14 is always adapted to support the tube 13 clear of the tubes 30, as will hereinafter ap- )ear, 1 As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the drawer slides 7 are provided near the back end of the drawer 5 with resilient members such as springs 15 having portions thereof in engagement with the underside of the key bed 1. As illustrated, the springs 45 are in the form of an inverted U, and each is received in a notch 46 provided in the side 17 of the drawer. The function of the springs 45 is to exert a frictional force on the underside of the key bed 1 when the drawer 5 is moved on the rollers 6, and it is obvious that other frictional means besides the springs 45 may be employed for the same purpose.

hen the drawer 5 is in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 3, all of the parts carried thereby are concealed beneath the key bed 1. In this position of the drawer the respective pairs of arms 38 and 39 carrying the strip 37, age in a nearly vertical position, so that the strip 37 is supported well up inside the drawer near the key bed 1. lVhen the strip is in this position, these portions of the tubes 30 extending between the strip 37 and the strip 43 are substantially at right angles to the bottom 42 of the drawer 5, while those portions of the tubes 30 between the strip 37 and the fixed strip 34 have a certain amount of slack therein and take a curved form, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The strip 37, being pivotally connected at its ends to the arms 38 and 39 is free to take a position determined by the downward pull exerted thereon by the tubes 30 from their fixed point of support in the strip 34. In this position of the strip 37 the wire 44 extends substantially at right angles to the bottom 42 and so holds the tube 13 clear of the tubes 30.

When the drawer 5 is moved from the position of Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 4, the music roll operating and control devices are exposed to view, as shown, the rear edge 42 of the drawer bottom then having moved away from the ed e of the bottom 35, a distance A, as in icated in Fig. 4. It is apparent that this movement of the drawer 5 carries the blocks 40away from the blocks 41, so that the angle between the arms 38 and 39 is greatly increased, and the tube strip 37 is carried downwardly into the osition shown in Fig. 4. Those portions 0 the tubes extending on either side of the strip 37 to the strips 34 and 43 respectively, are then straightened out and make substantially the same angle with the horizontal. The strip 37 being freely supported at its ends, then resumes a substantially vertical position, and the wire v 44 carrying the tube 13, then extends downwardly in a position substantially midway between the inclined tubes. It is apparent that the change of position on the part of the tubes 30 is accomplished without any straining or buckling thereof, by reason of the fact that the strip 37 is always free to resume a position determined by the extent to which the drawer 5 is open.

As will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4, the lengths of the arms 38 and 39 which support the floating tube strip 37 are geometrically calculated for the distance A, through which the drawer 5 is moved, and for the depth of the drawer, so that the tubes 30 are straightened just the right amount when the drawer 5 is pulled forward to its extreme position. Obviously, the lengths of the arms 38 and 39 will vary for different sizes of drawers having different degrees of movement. The fact that the strip 37 is pivotally connected at its ends to the arms 38 and 39, permitsthe strip 37 to turn into whatever position it is best suited for the form of the tubes for the corresponding position of the drawer 5. In I al lyengage the bottom of the key bed 1 when the drawer is moved, so that when the drawer 5 is moved to its closed position, shown in Fig. 1, the resistance to this movement offered by the tubes 30 will not tend to accidentally move the drawer into a partially open position. The springs 45 do not exert enough force to interfere with the free movement of the drawer, the springs being only stiff enough to substantially balance the forces tending to spread the tubes apart when they are moved into the position shown in Fig. 3.

lVhen it is desired to have access to the pneumatic action for removing the same, the entire tube arrangement can be separated from the pneumatic action by removing the screws 32 which secure the strip 31 to the channel board 22. When this has been done, all that is necessary to do in order to remove the pneumatic action, is to unscrew the wing nuts 26 from the bolts 25, whereupon the hangers 24, together with the pneumatic action, may be removed as a unit, without in any way disturbing the arrangement of the tubes 30.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by my invention I have provided an improved player grand piano having a drawer slidable with respect to the pneumatic action and characterized by the provision of means for preventing the buckling and chafing of the tubes extending from the tracker bar to the pneumatic units. My improved construction also permits of the ready removal of the pneumatic action without disturbing the tubes, and insures that the drawer will remain in the position in which it may be placed.

An additional feature of my invention resides in the provision of auxiliary bottom 48 secured to the underside of the inclined bottom portion 42 of the drawer 5. The auxiliary bottom 48 extends from near the edge 42 under the bottom board 35 of the pneumatic action, the side walls 47 of the 1 drawer being extended as far as the bottom 48. Vvhen the drawer is closed, the auxiliary bottom 48 terminates near the expression box 28, sothat when the drawer is opened, the bottom 48 and sides 47 bridge the gap between the edge 42 of the inclined bottom 42 and the edge 35 of the bottom board 35, as clearly shown in Fig 4. The extended tubes 30 are thus fully protected from injury by contact with external objects and at the same time dust and dirt are excluded.

I claim 1. In a. player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a tracker bait and music roll operating devices, a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano, flexible tubes extending be tween said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, and means for positively holding and guiding said tubes in spaced relation when said drawer is moved, said means comprising a member through which the said tubes pass.

2.111 a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a tracker bar and music roll operating devices, a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano, flexible tubes extending between said tracker bar and said pneun'iatic action, and means holding each tube individually for preventing buckling and chating of said tubes when said drawer is moved. said means comprising a member through which the said tubes pass.

3. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a tracker bar and music roll operating devices. a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano, flexible tubes extending be tween said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, and means positively controlled by the position of said drawer tor holding and guiding said tubes, said means comprising a member through which the tubes pass in fixed spaced relation.

In a player grand piano, a slidably nounted drawer containing a tracker bar and music roll operating devices, a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano, flexible tubes extending between said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, a member through which the tubes pass and a linkage mechanism connected to said drawer and to a fixed point on said pano for controlling the position of said tube carrying member when said drawer is moved.

5. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted dra'wer containing a tracker bar and music roll operating devices. a. pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano. flexible tubes extending between said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, and means for automatically and positively holding said tubes in different positions to accommodate them for ditferent distances between said drawer and said pneumatic action. said means being adapted to raise the tubes when the drawer is closed and to lower the tubes when the drawer is open.

6. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality of flexible tubes, means for securing said tubes near one end to a fixed portion of a piano, means for securing said tubes to said drawer, and a member through which the tubes pass for positively holding and guid ing said tubes in different positions between said securing means when said drawer is moved.

7. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality oi flexible tubes, means for securing said tubes near one end to a fixed portion of a piano, and means pivotally connected to said drawer and to a fixed point of said piano tt'or holding and guiding said tubes between said securing means.

8. In a playergrand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a. plurality of flexible tubes, tube retaining members secured to said drawer and to a fixed point of said piano, and a tube receiving and spacing member constrained to assume differ ent positions with relation to said tube retaining members in accordance with the position of said drawer.

9. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality of flexible tubes, tube retaining members secured to said drawer and to a fixed point of said piano. and a tube guiding member pivotally supported between said drawer and a fixed point on said piano.

10. In a player grand piano, at slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality o't flexible tubes, tube retaining members secured to said drawer and to a fixed point of said piano, and a tube guiding member pivotally supported by arms connected to said drawer and a fixed point on said piano.

11. In a player grand piano. a slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality of flexible tubes, tube retaining members secured to said drawer and to a fixed point of said piano, and a tube guiding member adapted to hold said tubes in different posi tions when said drawer is moved, said member being free to turn about its longitudinal axis to adjust itself to the positions of the tubes.

12. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a tracker bar and a pneumatic motor, a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano. flexible tubes extending between said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, a tube in said drawer for supplying said motor extending transversely to said flexible tubes, and means for preventing interference between said supply tube and said tracker bar tubes when the drawer is moved.

13. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a tracker bar and a pneumatic motor, a pneumatic player action secured to the underside of the piano. flexible tubes extending between said tracker bar and said pneumatic action, a tube in said drawer for supplying said motor extending transversely to said flexible tubes. and means for holding and guiding said tracker bar tubes and said supply tube in different positions when said drawer is moved, without contact between said tubes.

14. In a player grand piano, a slidablv mounted drawer containing a plurality of tracker bar tubes, means for supporting said tubes in bent form, when said drawer is in a closed position, and means carried by said tracker bar tubes leadin to the pneumatic drawer and operating in all positions thereof action, the said drawer %eing extended tofor frictionally opposing outward moveward the action so as to conceal the tubes 10 ment of said drawer caused by the tendency when the drawer is in its open position. I of said tubes to straighten out. Dated this 23rd day of November, 1923.

15. In a player grand piano, a slidably mounted drawer containing a plurality of THEODORE P. BROWN. 

